Golden Lane Estate during the Dark Ages

[Dave Butcher]

I appreciate that Golden Lane Estate, or rather the land on which it stands, may have been out in the country during the dark ages, and admit that I invented the title for no other reason than to get your attention, however, I sometimes wonder what the place might have looked like before the second world war, or indeed, as long as the site/area has housed people. I know that there were streets that ran through what is now the estate, and printed off an enlargement of an old map a while back which I acquired from the Metropolitan archives.

Doing a google search on the subject, I stumbled across Andrea Klettner's site Love London Council Housing

http://www.lovelondoncouncilhousing.com/2014/03/inside-outside-grea...

I appreciate that her site is likely to be familiar to many of you and may have been the subject of numerous previous discussions on this forum. If like me you've never heard of her, do check it out, if only to see the 'Look at Life, top people film.  

I would be intrigued to look at any historical site/information that would provide further information. Do let me know if you are aware of anything. Thanks, Dave Butcher

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

Hello Dave.

I found the above link really interesting.  Anything that portrays our Estate in a positive way is brilliant.  

The one thing I wanted to mention was that it was a pity that our 'roof garden', in Crescent House, next to the top floor guest flats, was not shown.  The reason is that it is an area that residents of Crescent House, in particular, can use, and it is also enjoyed by the guest flat users.  The 'roof garden' in Great Arthur House is sadly no longer in use as such, although it has amazing views.  We may not have the 'views', but we have a lovely area that many enjoy.  

[Dave Butcher]

Hi Maria

Here's a couple more leads that might interest you. With regard to the roof garden, I always enjoy passing it on my way up to the fourth floor of Hatfield House. Our roof garden is at the end of the fourth floor by the lifts. Regards

http://www.modernistestates.com/post/97639180610/studio-flat-cullum...

http://theimportanceofbeingmodernist.tumblr.com/search/hatfield+house

http://www.modernistestates.com/post/85452508440/studio-flat-cullum...

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

Thanks Dave.

I often sneak up to your roof garden, as love looking at the night lights from there.  Indeed, it was this area that gave me a lot of inspiration for our one, especially to create something that could be used in a otherwise completely empty space.  

Dave Butcher said:

Hi Maria

Here's a couple more leads that might interest you. With regard to the roof garden, I always enjoy passing it on my way up to the fourth floor of Hatfield House. Our roof garden is at the end of the fourth floor by the lifts. Regards

http://www.modernistestates.com/post/97639180610/studio-flat-cullum...

http://theimportanceofbeingmodernist.tumblr.com/search/hatfield+house

http://www.modernistestates.com/post/85452508440/studio-flat-cullum...